Track Listing

1. Choo Choo Ch' Boogie - Louis Jordan
2. Take the "A" Train - The Delta Rhythm Boys
3. All Aboard - Muddy Waters
4. Leavin' Memphis, Frisco Bound - Jesse Fuller
5. There's a Train - The Holmes Brothers
6. Rock Island Line - Linda Tillery, Linda Tillery & the Cultural Heritage Choir
7. Mainliner - Little Esther
8. Railroadin' Some - Henry Thomas
9. Mystery Train - Little Junior One Hand, Little Junior's Blue Flames
10. Night Train - Bill Doggett
11. Cannon Ball - Nora Lee King
12. B & O Blues - Pete Johnson, Big Joe Turner
13. Trouble in Mind - Lucky Millinder, Lucky Millinder, Sister Rosetta Tharpe
14. Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train - Brenda Boykin, Johnny Nocturne Band

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #165049 in Music
• Released on: 1998-10-13
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
This third volume in Rounder Records' ongoing classic-train-song series focuses on the R&B end of the rails. Its scope is perhaps a little too ambitious, since the selections here span nearly 70 years. Amid some pretty timeless competition, 1990s entries from the Holmes Brothers and Linda Tillery sound even more flatly digital (and surprisingly inanimate, given the subject matter) than they might otherwise. But classics like Louis Jordan's "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie" and Little Junior Parker's original recording of "Mystery Train"--which predates Elvis Presley's earth-shattering cover by a full year--give this volume a propulsive swagger that previous bluegrass- and country-centric volumes in the series lack. --Matt Hanks

Customer Reviews

FUN travel
Diverse moods created through the many selections reviving the possibilities of travel via the rail connections that were wide spread once upon a time. Top bunker artists with amusing stories and emotions take one on a great trip with lively rhythms and witty sophisticated lyrics. Charming nostalgia that never gets old.

African Americans sing about trains
Many compilations of train songs, including others in this series by Rounder, focus on country and folk music, but this set shows that people sang about trains regardless of musical genre or their own ethnic origin. So this set covers blues, jazz, boogie-woogie, R+B, soul and gospel.

Leadbelly adapted Rock Island line in the 1940's, most notably adding the discussion about pig iron and livestock. Others including Johnny Cash and Lonnie Donegan covered his version in the 1950's and beyond. However, the version here, by Linda Tillery and the cultural heritage choir, is more faithful to the song as it existed before Leadbelly made the changes that we now tend to assume were always there.

The version of Mystery train here is by Little Esther (actually Esther Phillips) and the robins. Esther had a top ten American hit in the sixties with Release me, a song which was originally a country hit for Ray Price but which is now associated with Engelbert Humperdinck. Esther does a superb job on Mystery Train.

A high standard is maintained throughout this set, beginning with Louis Jordan's classic rendition of Choo choo ch' boogie. Other train classics can be found here, including Trouble in mind and Boogie-woogie choo choo train.

HELP PLEASE!
This is not a review but I am desperate and need help. This is driving me crazy...Years ago my Grandmother used to sing many of the old railroad songs. One of my favorites was The Wreck Of The Old 97. She used to sing another one, but I cannot remember many of the words, therfore I cannot find it ANYWHERE! I am getting desperate trying to find it someplace on line. The song/story is about a conductor driving down the railroad tracks, and when he passes by his house, if his baby is sick (or something like that) the light on the track (or house) will be red. If the baby is OK, the light will be green. I know I did not imagine this song, but I just cannot remember the words. Does anyone have a clue?? I sure hope you can help!

Thank You! Please email me at ssandlf@adelphia.net if you can help! I would sure appreciate it!!